Best Indian Restaurant (2007)

Hidebound types sputter and fume, "That's not Indian food!" when confronted with Indika's innovative cooking. There's no chicken tikka masala here. But they do have foie gras with fig preserves and trout stuffed with nuts. If this isn't what you usually think of as Indian food, then it's time to broaden your horizons. Indika's owner, Indian-born Anita Jaisinghani, doesn't feel compelled to cater to American preconceptions. Formerly a pastry chef at Café Annie, Jaisinghani has come up with her own take on Indian cooking that is both elegant and unexpected. Eggplant stuffed with cashews, crabmeat samosas and venison kabobs are all on the menu. And if you're looking for something more unusual, try the goat brain masala — it's scrumptious! The Montrose location is brilliantly decorated with artwork and fabrics from the subcontinent. There's also some unusual cocktails including a litchi margarita and a guava mojito on the bar menu.